Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers: ALBUM REVIEW

Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers: ALBUM REVIEW. This is our first reaction and review of the new Kendrick Lamar album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. The tracklist includes N95, Silent Hill ft. Kodak Black, Crown & more.
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[@preezymayana8452]

How is Rich Spirit a Skip ? Thats literally One of The Most Vibey Songs on the album .. had me floating , thats literally one of the songs on the album you can play on repeat , its so smooth!!!

[@skibibarat8269]

FACTS

[@Daniel-ch2vf]

B*tch, are you happy for me?

[@MadMaximo]

This so true. They better stop playing with him fore he turns them to a song.

[@thedon0516]

Stop Playin Wit Me For I Turn Into A Song That shit is 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@devontei7671]

Rich spirit the best song for me to listen to daily

[@Ditshwancho]

Kendrick will never repeat himself with his album sound, he's always evolving and that's just impressive on its own, that's why we always look forward to his albums.

[@batmaneatspizza]

Exactly that’s why he’s the best

[@thomasowens4844]

That’s what I love about him

[@iamflashin]

CAN I GET A AMEN

[@thedon0516]

He takes the Kanye route with every release, and it's fantastic

[@aizenzae4510]

@@thedon0516 I’d say the MJ route

[@pp3917]

This isn’t Kendrick’s best nor his most enjoyable album, but it’s definitely his most honest and unique

[@NFRPodcast]

PP spitting facts

[@TheRapTheoryofficial]

thats what they said when TPAB dropped will come back to this conversation in 2 years

[@tyrellwellick5152]

Small

[@tyrellwellick5152]

@@TheRapTheoryofficial no one said

[@madsandreasen5905]

@@TheRapTheoryofficial I love this album but it doesn’t have those perfect songs like Weasley songs theory, king kunta and mortal man

[@trekgreenwood6743]

This entire album felt like a play or musical. Every single song I heard I was getting mental pictures and videos. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kendrick eventually drops a visual companion similar to say Beyoncé- Lemonade.

[@YAGLMS6083]

Um isn't it Beyonce self titled album Beyonce.

[@ad4m883]

@@YAGLMS6083 Both the self titled and Lemonade were visual albums

[@sven7037]

Ahh that is what I got too when I heard it like Beyonce Lemonade type vibes

[@callmedarman1767]

Nahh

[@insideroutside]

Omg this was my thoughts as well

[@maddon759]

Man the more I listen to this project the more I enjoy it. This is lining up to be my personal album of the year right next to Melt My Eyes

[@PlayboiCarter1916]

Agree, favorite song off the album?

[@intelligencecycle3523]

@@PlayboiCarter1916 Probably We Cry together, Worldwide steppers, Savior, Mother I sober and Mirror.

[@imanigordon6803]

@@PlayboiCarter1916 completely disagree this album lacks heavily

[@maddon759]

@@PlayboiCarter1916 Mother I sober, mirror, or savior

[@odysseusdadon1234]

Definitely better than melt my eyes

[@malcolmxpanther]

This album is a classic. It isn’t just a album for peoples playlist. It’s suppose to be listened all of the way through. Like Jay Z said, “Do you listen to music, or just skim through it”

[@tyrellwellick5152]

Weak defence

[@arcuri6446]

no bro it’s not a classic it’s boring

[@brandonayong5823]

Eminem said it best in his last album " They're gonna come for you one day too The more you win the sooner they do They'll be calling you a trash bin. Saying that your new one isn't better than your last Even if it is once they turn back they will never come back They did it to chance next they will speak of futur in the past tense "

[@gsorestes9933]

@@arcuri6446 L

[@tyrellwellick5152]

@@brandonayong5823 r u talking about midinem 😄🤡

[@AdamAdam-md4mi]

1: To Pimp A Butterfly 2A: GKMC, 2B: MMATBS 3: DAMN 4: Section80 5: Untitled Unmastered (underrated) 6: Overly Dedicated

[@nds1116]

Yessir

[@fantasythinkerfan]

I'd knock MMATBS to 4 but otherwise completely agree with the ranking

[@magnushalldorsson7655]

Perfectly accurate

[@AllTheArtsy]

this is also my ranking as of today

[@lanisehoward8397]

I feel like this album had some of Kendrick’s best writing ever.

[@Rizzity]

for sure

[@AbuBakar-yj8nb]

No

[@solidsnake656]

honestly this is a perfect from me. absolutely phenomenal record, some of the most intricate and interesting writing ive heard on any album. in 5 years, people are gonna look back on this as a masterpiece. and father time and mother i sober are both top 5 kendrick songs oat tbh

[@imanigordon6803]

Completely disagree

[@edanbarak7692]

I agree with the fact that I would give this a perfect

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

Totally agree. Every other Kendrick album had to grow on me to love it... except for this one! I absolutely loved it from first to last, on first listen. Truly stunning... I know it's not what a lot of fans wanted. But that's too bad!

[@ronniebrown1536]

Its the best thing I ever heard. people who think this old albums are their favorite are kind of stuck in the past cuz this thing is the bomb

[@zthegreat4538]

@@ronniebrown1536 fr from any genre, his writing is impeccable. Definitely waiting to see what his upcoming movie does

[@Zack_dr24]

TPAB and DAMN took me 6 months to a year to fully unravel and appreciate. Both ended up in my top 10 favorite albums of all time. GKMC was the only one of Kendrick's catalog that hooked me from the start. ... until this one.. wow... not what I expected at all and that ended up being the best thing about it. The deep emotional undertones and themes for this continues to get better and better the more I listen to it.

[@shaunburner1]

True

[@prodgrantgambino]

Someone at school told me that We Cry together was “just arguing” and “not music”

[@youtubecommentor6944]

its just a walmart version of kim

[@rapgenics7052]

💀💀💀

[@aidankaleta5785]

It is tbh I like the album but not this somg

[@GavinBryce]

@@youtubecommentor6944 May not be as emotional as Kim but they're both great tracks at the end of the day.

[@imanigordon6803]

I liked the concepts of the song but you can’t tell me that you are listening to we cry everyday

[@Bilnation]

Most vulnerable and introspective album Kendrick's ever done. Heavy lyrics and subject matter mixed with bangers and the production is instantly impressive in 2022 in this era. Raw expression man... changed his sound again. Let this album marinate, that's all i gotta say.

[@dagzey]

album is wack

[@man4437]

Take a drink every time someone calls it "vulnerable", "introspective", "personal" and get on a liver transplant list. I mean it's kinda weird because to me all of his albums are extremely personal and this album is about general social malaise more than DAMN. or GKMC. The topics are a lot more generic and impersonal where an album like GKMC, yeah it's not directly from Kendrick's POV but it tells so much about him, his views and his come-up. DAMN. despite me not liking it is very much about Kendrick's status and personal life in 2017; despite some of the slightly generic songwriting, it's thematically so Kendrick. This album feels like a lot of it could've been made by any other rapper. The topics are a lot more about his personal life in a darker sense but I don't feel as if I get much of Kendrick through this album, if that makes sense. It just feels like what people are describing it as in many cases, a therapy session. An impersonal gallery of his personal trauma which I don't really connect with. This just poured out of me, but this is kind of why I don't lyrically connect with the album. It feels scattershot and impersonal despite the very heavy and in some cases personal subject matter

[@stablish4314]

It’s gonna be like a fine wine…. I personally already love it though. Did not disappoint.

[@fintancollins3823]

@bille literally 0 bangers

[@jkxclusive295]

Copied my comment from their initial reaction vid to this album 😂

[@akspades6423]

Trust me, people are going to look back at this project and call it a classic. To me, it is his most enjoyable album sonically.

[@thedon0516]

Sonically?? Really?? Even over GKMC??

[@nicksolaas1439]

This album is a double entrendre. Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers represent the different sides of Kendrick and Rap as a whole. Mr. Morale is the angelic 'savior of rap' the one dressed in all white in the N95 video. This person is deep and looks away from temptation and tries to better himself, his community, and humanity as a whole. His response to being the savior is "this shit hard". The Big Stepper is the one that goes dumby on 808's. The one that hears the beat and yells "this shit hard". The big stepper is the one who always animated while they are rapping, Mr. Morale is monotone he doesn't show emotion. These two start the album often separate and interrupting each other. Take world wide steppers, the song starts with the steppers Kodak and Kendrick and is interrupted by Mr. Moral (the fierce monotone voice) who literally calls himself god. Through therapy these two start to see that they are not so different and begin to be more like each other until they are the same person, oklama. Seriously Kendrick is on another level, there is probably even more stuff that will go completely over our head. Truly an artist and a one of a kind story teller.

[@bolder2009]

interesting. i've yet to dig into the overarching concept.

[@bmeyer8106]

If you guys haven’t read Eckhart Tolle’s book “The power of now” I highly recommend it. This album truly feels like a companion piece to the book, and that point is hammered home further with Eckhart being featured on the album. The way the book is structured starts with Eckhart showing you the falsehoods about yourself and the follows it up with how you can free yourself from that mindset. This album is mirrored and does the same thing with the two disks for example we cry together and crown, worldwide steppers and mr. morale

[@bmeyer8106]

Even look at the interludes, the rich interlude features Kodak speaking his struggles growing up, and the savior interlude is talking about not creating your identity from the bad things that you have done/experienced in the past

[@danielbaggiojr.9825]

This is really interesting - can you explain how it’s mirrored? I noticed a couple references throughout the second half

[@bmeyer8106]

@@danielbaggiojr.9825 draw an imaginary line in between Purple Hearts and count me out. The companion tracks are Purple Hearts/Count Me Out, We Cry Together/Crown, Rich Spirit/Silent Hill, Rich interlude/Savior Interlude, and continue from there

[@jaheimharris7421]

Hey, could you explain the mirror relation between We Cry Together and Crown for me? I don't see how they connect like that

[@bmeyer8106]

@@jaheimharris7421 of course, I mean subject wise they are very different tracks obviously, but the overarching theme of the two is relationship. In we cry together we see an example of a couple arguing and unable to properly communicate their feelings to one another, where crown the realization is that you can’t please everyone no matter how hard you try. I honestly like to think of the relationship examples kendrick brings up on this project also having a double meaning to his relationship with his fans. Where when he leaves for a while people tend to get upset with him, start to doubt him, but the second he returns they make up (a toxic relationship just like the one shown on we cry together) then in crown he goes over how he has done all these things for his fans but the second he can’t be there or isn’t releasing music people tend to forget everything he has done in the past. Hope that helps give some perspective on what I think is being conveyed

[@fishhead9298]

What I really liked about this album was that unlike the last 4 albums we are not following a conceptual narrative as it plays out. We just follow him for the past 1,885 days.

[@alle7540]

There kind of is a narrative though

[@fishhead9298]

@@alle7540 yes kind of. I just think it's not displayed on a grand level. From S80 to DMN he is on a quest to be the savior of his people/Hip Hop. When we get to DMN he realizes his ego will be his downfall, and that's where his therapy sessions come in to play on this record in such a raw visceral way. SORRY THAT I TURNED THIS COMMENT INTO A WHOLE SYNOPSIS, I WATCH TOO MANY MOVIES 😂.

[@arshsingh7876]

1855* but you right💯

[@cedricsankara9809]

This album have the same effect on me as TPAB: had a hard time vibing with it at first due to it sounding so different. I couldn’t stop listening to it though. It grew on me and is now my favorite hip hop album. Mr Morale & The Big Steppers is gonna age like fine wine.

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

I was surprised to love it all right off the bat... absolutely fire!

[@jahbrae]

Bruh same… TPAB grew the heck on me

[@NFRPodcast]

Check out our Uncut Album Reaction to Kendrick Lamar's New Album: www.patreon.com/nfrpodcast

[@oliverbranch777]

A album for the black man smh I thank you Kendrick love NFR 4 life

[@mish6937]

Kendrick Lamar probably has the most complete discography in music. All his albums are unique and beautiful in their own right, discussing different themes, perspectives, sounds and modes of conveying information and emotion. If this is the last Kendrick album, this has to be on lock for the perfect 5-album collection

[@Anonymous87721]

I would love to see you guys do a ranking of the track list

[@NFRPodcast]

What if I said it’s on the way ? 🤫

[@m1c569]

@@NFRPodcast yooo

[@moviesandmusic5055]

​@@NFRPodcast Would love to see it!

[@bee-sk3il]

@@NFRPodcast woooo

[@musictiger38]

@@NFRPodcast yooooo let’s go

[@pakONEoh]

Kendrick's album forces us to "listen" and NOT "hear." People who hear songs assume a passive position. You don't have to focus on any thing when the songs are playing. But, Kendrick forces you to listen. People who listen do so from an active position. The listener is learning something through the interaction between the songs' content, one's personal thoughts, and the narratives we've created to explain our existence. Many people played Mr. Morale & The High Steppers and assumed the role of hearers. And, they weren't moved. But, as time passed, people had to return to the album as listeners...AND...now the power of the album is being realized.

[@jacobbalshjberthelsen740]

Simply spot on

[@cgrchopstick5773]

I appreciate you guys taking some time to digest the album and put out the review. Really shows how dedicated you are. Kendrick albums are the type that get better with time.

[@utopiaisinyourmind]

I've listened to the album like 30 times since release, it's a fucking masterpiece, so vulnerable, introspective and experimental My favs are N95, Worldwide Steppers, Father Time, Rich Spirit, Crown, Savior, Mother I Sober and Mirror Purple Hearts and Die Hard are very good too

[@utopiaisinyourmind]

I also love We Cry Together but not as a track itself, more like an interlude and a binder

[@adamsullivan6810]

Bro just named the whole album

[@otherfoxotherfox9339]

Auntie diaries is his best song on the album

[@michaellopez112]

Bro saviors goes so HARD. When that beat drop😭😭

[@tobipickle]

@@otherfoxotherfox9339 wouldnt say its the most catchy, but its one of the most powerful

[@bp2000k]

„We Cry Together“ will be remember as one of the craziest storytelling ever.

[@format9802]

Chinese version of Kim

[@davidthomas5614]

@@format9802 chinese version? lol what about it is ‘chinese’?

[@nathanmartin1973]

And this sentence will be remembered as one of the least grammatically correct ones ever. "Craziest storytelling ever" does not make sense. You could have said "will be remembered as one of the craziest examples of storytelling ever".

[@format9802]

@@davidthomas5614 its a shitty version of kim, that what I meant

[@youareasock9752]

@@nathanmartin1973 🤓

[@brandonpatterson5717]

People were expecting a hype trendy, of the time, BARS, album that was TLOP and DAMN. but when Kendrick gave them a slice of what was resting on his soul for 4-5 years people were disappointed. That's on them, I think this album has also proved even with Tyler and Cole, the musical IQ for many has gone down

[@thedon0516]

I thought he did that on songs like N95, Savior, Rich Spirit, & Silent Hill. Them shits are bangers

[@brandonpatterson5717]

@@thedon0516 yeah along with Savior but I think those are considered pretty "quiet" and subdued not to me they get the job in my opinion.

[@thedon0516]

@@brandonpatterson5717 Yeah this album has everything I want in a Kendrick album, shit is near perfect for me. 9.5/10

[@obacmusic7038]

As a producer I can tell you the production on this album it’s PERFECT, instrumentals and the mixing are how perfection in production sound, never listened to something like this and I really enjoyed it a lot

[@ysy_y]

I was completely blown away by the mixing on this album, wish I saw more people talk about it.

[@YesThisIsJamesWier]

You’re so right. Like all of Kendrick’s albums, the mixing is a masterclass on how to shape the sound of an album

[@jeremiahmaryland]

Exactly, I wish more people who actually made music did reviews. Production was amazing

[@maximomgwadira1687]

I totally agree. I don't think I've ever heard something mixed like this or produced in this kind of way. It's tooooooooooo smooth!

[@ryanalvarado9981]

So is this his best album in ur opinion

[@chelseaxrangel]

there is so much strength and power in vulnerability and kendrick lamar’s introspection is admirable and like nothing we’ve heard before, which is what makes this whole album so incredible

[@insideroutside]

Exactly

[@bp2000k]

Kendrick shows how innovative he is. Every Tracks has different Productions. We Cry Together,N95,Savior,Crown & Father Time Are my fav Songs. I like his new Album very much/heavy(Even GKMC,TPAB & DAMN) are still better especially GKMC. Welcome Back Legend🐐

[@coleintheville117]

My opinion Performance: Perfect Content: Perfect Features: Amazing Production: Perfect Replay Value: Perfect

[@MrOhioPlayer]

I Pray these two get blessed with an opportunity to see Kendrick Live. It takes it to an entire new level.

[@yungeuphoria]

Agreed. I remember seeing him on the DAMN. tour and some of those songs live were crazy!!

[@DmizzMOB]

Seen him live twice now for gkmc and tpab it was so lit

[@taofeekhusseini4982]

Emotional album to be honest

[@spotswoodburwell1163]

I was literally counting down the days and checking my phone nonstop waiting for the NFR review of MMaTBS >_< thank you Lou and Ant for the honest and fair critique. I've been following you guys for about a year now and you both have inspired me to dig deeper into Hip Hop 👌🏼 looking forward to future reviews!

[@mauro9741]

On the first listen i was not feeling it, now I play it front to back no skips.

[@NFRPodcast]

Top 3 tracks for you Mauro?

[@dripdrop5996]

Cap🧢🧢🧢The replay value is nothing major

[@Palkia678]

@@dripdrop5996 strongly disagree

[@imanigordon6803]

I skip through this album consistently

[@imanigordon6803]

@@Palkia678 There is nothing on here that makes me want to bum this all the way through silent hill in itself is a skip

[@thelyonking5812]

I think the fact that on first listen I was mixed on this album and now after having 3-4 days to digest and now I think it has no skips really speaks to the fact that this album has a perfect replay value. It ages like wine, it’s a huge grower. I honestly love this album. This is gonna be a classic.

[@yogicentralyt]

IKR so true Ive only been listening to this album without skips

[@mani6142]

It places 3rd in my discog ranking, just under TPAB and GKMC. This is as raw and honest kendrick could get. When it comes to the concept/ message wise, this is the most important one imo, and people will see that in due time and it will age like fine wine.

[@Anonymous87721]

Let’s go! I’ve been waiting for this

[@NFRPodcast]

Hope you enjoy it Mr. Pizza!

[@marselluswallace2175]

This is probably going to be my favorite project of his. I absolutely love the sound and was pleasantly surprised by the level of vulnerability. I have never replayed a Kendrick album this much in the first week of release.

[@ATribeCalledWest]

This whole album is literally Kendrick sitting in for a therapy session I think the theme of the album is that the big steppers are people who step up to actually confront our issues in society and that the tapdancing all over the album is to represent how people and culture tapdance around hot button topics but never seem to really want to actually fix any of it, only using them at this point to virtue signal or grandstand/get likes etc. And I think a lot of it has to do with sex crime and sex equality as well and how we treat each other over it when it comes to image, be it homosexuality or being seen as weak because of molestation or what have you, so people mask it and hide it deep down and project their feelings onto others in toxic ways and the cycle continues instead of actually addressing it and attempting to openly speak about it in a way that is helpful. especially now with how you may get your character assassinated or discredited for voicing your opinion or stating your own personal views or how you really feel about it, even if it is wrong or misguided. so taken literally, Mr Morale is freeing his mind and leading by example in being what everyone wants him to be, but doing it his own way because he has the confidence that it will actually help change things, because he has respect and loyalty of the industry and his fans and faith that it will help shape the future. Morale is high because he had the confidence to go against the norm and say what he has to say, how he wants to say it, and he is finally freeing his own conscience as well as being conscious enough to be aware of his surroundings that he is able to speak on things he has buried deep down and by finally doing so has broken a "generational curse". There are nuances and deliberate things that happened during the course of the album that help me draw this conclusion, like from the very start the sample is "I hope you find some peace of mind in this lifetime" then a woman says "tell them the truth" the tap dancing length seems to shorten every time it comes in, and the subject matter gets more and more open over the course of the album. then the intentional deep faking during heart 5 made me think of what those people actually represented in context to the album
Kanye has spoken about his mental health and being bipolar and more recently, has been all over the news due to his divorce with kim. He has also admitted that sex addiction was one of the leading causes of him finding God.
Jussie Smollett is a gay actor who felt underpaid and staged his own crime and was convicted over it, where, in fact, he had 2 black men help him stage it.
OJ got away with murdering his ex wife, more than likely over an affair, and then ironically went to prison over retrieving his own belongings
Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage out of sheer frustration and pain from dealing with the scandal with his wife, also sex related.
Nipsey was gunned down in his own neighborhood that he himself built up and was a victim of crimes he participated in as well as spoke out against later in his life. The gunman is now known to have been upset over being called a snitch, driven there by a woman who had picked him up and stopping in the shopping center for food. The woman is said to have mentioned Nipsey as "fine" and wanting to take a picture with him. the first time they approach, she does indeed get a photo with him and posts it to social media.
Kobe also dealt with his own sexual assault case. He also spoke out and was a huge advocate for women's sports due to his daughters.
which, if i am somewhat right, seem to be all examples of "big steppers", people who were vicitms as well as offenders, yet both stood up and openly dealt with their issues in the public. Kendrick saying he chooses himself seems to be that he is choosing his personal health and wellbeing over being an icon, and instead of trying to be what everyone wants him to be he would rather admit his flaws and shortcomings and try to free himself and his family of what he calls a generational curse. The cover art now also makes a lot more sense to me as a lot of this album is Kendrick saying to the fans I can’t be your saviour, I’m just a regular guy and the cover art is him In just a regular ass house being with his family, protecting them all with the crown on top of his head that we as fans put there as we call him hip-hops messiah/messenger and put him on a pedestal and the juxtaposition of those two things.
He is not your savior. He does not need to provide anything to you. He is a human being trying to make the best of his situation. You have put your values and opinions into someone's perspective that is fractured from a life of abuse and trauma. He owes you nothing. He chose himself this time. Maybe for the first time.

[@athi6985]

Bro you’re tripping me out. More power to you , this is the first analysis which I think is atleast 95% correct if not fully

[@maximomgwadira1687]

You got time lol. But you're right. It's basically a therapy session

[@iamjoehill]

You NAILED IT

[@PushYourEdge]

absolutely incredible take, and you sound spot on. thanks for sharing

[@haven8555]

Lot of amazing songs but Father Time has to be my personal favorite. That crazy beat, Kendricks introspective and touching lyricism, the sampha hook and just the gorgeous structure of the song progression and instrumentation. It could definitively become a fan favorite with time!

[@geevo22]

N95 n Mr. Morale were dope too

[@haven8555]

@@geevo22 oh for sure, have those on repeat as well

[@joshsmith8715]

So far n95 is my favorite, it goes hard

[@hwburner1524]

@@joshsmith8715 Same. Not the most thoughtful compared to his other songs from that album, but i love N95 so much as a song

[@SIYABONGAZUNGU]

You guys are really good at what you do, I appreciate the indepth analysis that cover the different topics and aspects of Kendrick's work. I like how you don't have to agree with everything but being honest with yourself is what has made me appreciate listening to your assessment.

[@MohitSubedi]

What a journey it's been. I first got into this channel with those early Kendrick Lamar speculation videos when you guys had 52k subs; to see you guys grow, evolve and develop into what you guys are now, for me to be watching, and loving, all the content you've put out - it just feels surreal to see you guys finally review the album. Thank you so much for the journey you've taken all of us, here's to Phase 2 of NFR!

[@esock2001]

This album is the embodiment of “deeper than rap”

[@tyrellwellick5152]

Weak defence

[@philiplewandowski2469]

Like all Kendrick albums

[@MadMaximo]

“Let’s stick with the facts, You are hiding a child let that boy come home! Deadbeat mother fucker playing border patrol.

[@dilloncolbert1733]

Very well said. One of the best reviews I’ve seen

[@exzisd]

I appreciate the review although I appreciate it more for the discussion than for the quantification of numbers or labels. I find reviews are most useful for helping me find noteworthy media from video games to music moreso than for deciding what I think about an album. The internet thinks that people reviewing an album should be exactly what they think not realizing reviews are just subjective based on the reviewers values and personal interpretation. I think the score system you guys used it better than the x out of 10 review system as it's broad and within hip hop it captures the major points that add up to define the quality of an album without putting a somewhat meaningless numerical score on it. I'm surprised by how much hate I've seen for this album off the rip. I'm glad I listened to it myself many times over before ever going to the internet to see what people were saying. I had a wonderful experience off first listen to the point I had it on repeat all day and really enjoyed it. Fanbases/Hatebases ruin a lot. Never judge an artist entirely off their fanbases and haters. I think more people should look into the art for themselves rather than depending on popular opinion to determine if they will even give it a chance or not. In this era people make up their mind on an album or video game before they ever experience it for themselves. I can understand this on one hand, there's unending media, lots of things begging for our limited attention and time, and people want to get to the best of what they are going to enjoy most. For me this is easily album of 2022 alongside Denzel Curry Melt My Eyez See Your Future at number 2 and more controversially my number 3 is The Weeknd Dawn FM (It's my favorite Weeknd album since House of Balloons). PSA: If you haven't heard the new Denzel Curry album do yourself a favor and go listen to it. The features are great. The message is great. It's fun. It's well produced. The flows are great. It's a total bop of an album and it's not super long. I think it's Denzel's most accessible album yet while still experimenting to some degree. The new Denzel album turned me into a fan when previously Denzel was more of an artist I was just sort of aware of based on their big music videos. Lastly Free 03 Greedo.

[@SamSam-qj5ud]

At first I didnt honestly like this album that much, but it has grown on me everytime I have listened to it since

[@kepz9456]

been waiting for this review!

[@DrunkBasketball]

The skinny fella seems chill idk about big boi he talks at 1.5 speed and everything he says feels like Reddit but out loud.

[@thedon0516]

Worldwide Steppers is fucking insane bruh, wish the album had more songs with that sound/vibe. Auntie's Diaries & Mother I Sober is fucking fantastic.

[@kam1su2]

"Who's really putting that much heart and emotion into their projects?" - While it's been a while... Kanye did, in a lot of his albums.. especially "808 and heartbreak" and "ye".

[@MadMaximo]

Or Frank ocean many artists do I think there’s many other ways to praise this album then comparisons

[@kam1su2]

@@MadMaximo I do agree...

[@peamut547]

Hell, he even did so on Donda. Most of Ye’s projects seem to be centered on the emotion he is currently feeling; it’s why Yandhi wasn’t released and JIK was released instead.

[@Nina22221]

Omg 87k? Y’all grown so fast! Love you guys keep up the work! 🖤🖤🖤

[@toxictank4856]

Been waiting for this🔥🔥🔥

[@prettyboyiron19]

Great review fellas!! I was faced with the same issues after the first listen but after about multiple listens and counting, I think the album is flawless!

[@andrewchewygallo6705]

Personally this was Kendrick’s best to me. It resonated with me on so many levels because I’m a new father. It felt like Kendrick has matured like most of us do when we have little one’s looking up at us. Every song on the album I had something to relate to. 10/10 for me.

[@user-yf3kq6hz7g]

That’s why you haven’t played it in 6 months

[@DonovanGG__]

@@user-yf3kq6hz7gwtf do you mean he hasn’t played it in 6 months?

[@sallongo1467]

Great review guys! Always enjoy listening to both of your thoughts and informed perspectives. I felt on the same page with a lot of what you both discussed and you both were able to articulate it very well.

[@Mj-uz1ng]

Been waiting on this !

[@ej-oy7ce]

Beth Gibbons is the lead singer of Portishead, legendary band and the pioneers of trip hop

[@jacksonb7475]

Been waiting

[@yogicentralyt]

I've been watching your guys' videos a lot lately, and ngl I am enjoying them a lot. Keep it up!

[@cameronjames9158]

I’m in the process of teaching myself beatmaking as well as music theory and writing, and just how deep Kendrick got on this album and how well he portrayed it is going to continue to inspire me

[@JGarv09]

17 full length listens in & im gonna say this: In 8 years, we will call this Kendricks best album! Book this comment! I dont have to listen to this another day to tell you all: This album is a Masterpiece. This is the ONE

[@khristosanesti8029]

Booked

[@sillyrabbit148]

This is my favorite Kendrick album, I love the vulnerability and honesty. Sonically it is my favorite as well, I think it is the best sounding album he has.

[@yunuskhan8089]

been waiting for this vid

[@NFRPodcast]

Hope you enjoy it! How do you rate the album?

[@fazecarpet2448]

Been waiting for this review. 🐐

[@NFRPodcast]

Love to hear it Faze🙏🏼 how you liking the album?

[@fazecarpet2448]

@@NFRPodcast Definitely growing on me heavy with every listen. Super amazing to hear k.dot get personal!

[@rushilramluckan674]

Geez watched all you guys sh since you started. Never realised you grew so much One of the few proper album breakdowns of this album. We all waited for it. I personally get hyped with you because there are a very few here in South Africa who would analyse and listen to the album as deep as I would. We have and follow hip hop here but more mainstream and then domestic Just think about it, you guys are my niggas when it comes down to analysing this album Thank you gents, its highly appreciated 👊 There are a very few that follow real deep conceptual art in the form of music because people are dumb. Keep up the good work 👊 I will continue to be loyal to NFR

[@usthefolksmusic]

Dope review. I've only listened fully once and it was definitely cinematic. I appreciate the artistry and crafting but need to dig deeper. I did a review on the N95 video and realized I liked that track more with each listen. Great , in-depth review, fellas!

[@c7941]

First listened to the album through my car speakers, and while I enjoyed it, I was unsure if it met my initial expectations of a Kendrick album. Second listen was through headphones in a closed environment, and it completely changed my perception of the album; almost sounded like a completely new album, and I loved it. The album is much more mellow, and less bar-heavy, but the soulful introspection mixed with the laidback production on most of the tracks creates a relaxing and mature experience that feels like a breath of fresh air. Each listen gets better and better, and I think it will age beautifully. I really hope this is not Kendrick's last album as an artist, because his uniqueness and creativity brings so much value to modern-day hip hop

[@diego-rh5jr]

been waiting for this. goat podcast🐐

[@smoothedspoon1302]

since the night it came out i was waiting for this vid lol, you guys were quick af with the first one

[@NFRPodcast]

Appreciate you smoothedspoon! Let us know if you agree or disagree with our ratings🙏🏼

[@smoothedspoon1302]

@@NFRPodcast i do agree, took me like 3 listens to really love the album but i do like that you guys don’t rate it with a number

[@nassir5442]

You can’t rate ART. And this is a MASTERPIECE!

[@vpocg]

Exactly 🔥

[@coryjackson6944]

I absolutely enjoyed your reaction video. 😊 Your comments and coverage are substantive, well informed and engaging. You covered a myriad of topics from lyrics to production and emotions within the album as opposed to just saying something generic.. I am subscribing because of this video! Thank you 😊

[@reynaldi2297]

Please respect Die Hard, easily the most accessible song in the album, perfect for summer and radio too! I always want another SAMIDOT or Wesley's Theory but my goodness the boy has to get his bread too!

[@altaccount7465]

Mother I sober is prolly the closest you’ll get to SAMIDOT

[@kenyanshakespeare]

well said you really take your time doing this its amazing

[@ngoni266]

I’m so glad you brought up the point at 05:52. That was insane! This the first time I’ve seen someone mention it

[@ethanjones4367]

Been waiting for this review

[@NFRPodcast]

Hope you enjoy it Ethan appreciate you checking in with us🤝

[@HappyAccidentVideos]

Replayability for me Is high. I find myself loving it more with every listen, and I’ve also never listened to an album back to back so many times. Every listen, I get something new. It stays fresh. No skips for me. Rich Spirit ended up being one of my favorites.

[@coastercraziness]

Great review guys, couldn’t agree with y’all’s points more

[@goosebox9064]

This is my favourite album, and I think people will start to appreciate it with time, I’ve seen some people warming up to it already

[@joel7525]

Anyone else been bumping this all weekend nonstop? So good to have Kenny back 😮‍💨

[@DanielTurner]

The more I listen to it and the more I watch reviews I watch the deeper this album gets to me, seeing how others interpreted it! Love this album and love sharing it with people

[@lutherkayban2788]

i had the same reaction!! i was waiting for those hard bars! but.. i think this album is gonna age like fine wine. In fact, even a week in i can see the genius of this project so clearly. Production is so cohesive and experimental. Content of his rapping is maybe his best (as good if not better than tpab), and obviously his most personal). His flows are pretty solid throughout, too.

[@SuperAnge911]

Love this album already, just amazing

[@lando1754]

Love your content fam

[@NFRPodcast]

Thank you lando!!

[@lil_syba]

Gents you both put your points across super thoughtfully and genuinely here! Peace

[@gaelcc_]

love the content

[@dez-m]

Months later, it's my 6th favorite hip hop album of all time! It got me through so much and all of the lyrics, production, and messages are perfected!

[@petarstavrovski]

It's perfect to me, feel like on first listen I enjoyed more than DAMN and TPAB, after about 5-6 listens it clears DAMN for me personally. Understand people will have different opinions, but I connected to this one more than others. 10/10.

[@JJ-xo3er]

That’s crazzzzy, Rich Spirit is my favorite so far, the vibe and melody is so infectious!

[@itsemachine]

Honestly I'm just so glad this album even exists. I've only been a Kendrick fan since 2019 and being able to listen to a new album of his on its release day has always been a dream of mine. But I also wasn't even that desperate for a new album because his discography is already so good. Thank you Kendrick

[@evanbrong]

This album gets better with every listen, could possibly become a classic for me for sure

[@nickfer5669]

Keep up the great work guys

[@aasss249]

kendrick is definetly in the goat conversation after this album🐐🐐🐐🐐

[@benjaminratthe9904]

Been in the goat conversation since tpab imo

[@zimdollar3229]

Since GKMC

[@5stargoon665]

Loved the video NFR bros! For me, i would've gone with perfect on artist performance, perfect replay value (imo replay shouldn't necessarily have to do with an album having songs playlist worthy 🤷🏾‍♂️) and I can understand you guys going with the overall amazing rating for now, however I firmly believe this will age into a perfect rating just like the last 3 albums. I'm really excited for what's to come, this album feels like it's supposed to tide us over because I think he's gonna stick around for a while 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@keepmovingforward1722]

Yeah I agree with everything you’ve said! I personally love Denzel’s album more but both are perfect albums in me eyez

[@ghostrose7171]

Y’all going far 💯

[@adlad3199]

Man the replay value on this album is absolutely perfect. There's not ALOT to unpack yet at the same time it's super introspective and vulnerable. The beats are insane on almost every single track. Honestly, best Kendrick album I've heard on first listen.

[@zimdollar3229]

The bass is muddy on some tracks

[@MikeyyUchiha]

FINALLY I’VE BEEN WAITING 😂😂

[@seanjjpaul]

Great review guys!!

[@CosmixxSlopShop]

after bumpin it so much love this album still got it at a 9/10 atm but possible could get higher, I've even seen some people say its his best work lol

[@Kruz.Lee17]

I love the album. The production was amazing and his voice manipulation just gets better every time. I loved his flows on this one. Worldwide steppers beat is a work of art and I really loved his message about breaking a family curse in Mother I Sober. I feel like this one had more hits than DAMN. And TPAB too tbh so imma have to disagree with y’all in that department. All around tho it was great listen. I’m glad the wait is over and we have some new Kenny to bump.

[@angelusgnz5784]

I believe we’ll still be analyzing and finding new details and messages on this album 5-10 years from now. The therapy session/musical play approach was genius, it reminds me of the concept of 4:44. I love the back and forth between Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers throughout the track list and the themes carrying on. This is easily the most mature and most direct Kendrick has ever been. I love how his message is to think for yourself with the stories kendrick has already given you. He’s not going to be here forever to hold your hand and show you real values and morals, do your own work on yourself like he himself has. “Sorry I didn’t save the world, my friend. I was too busy building mine again.” Can’t call it a classic or even flawless YET, but I have a really strong feeling I will be by 2024

[@0076robert]

I've watched you guys rise on tiktok. this is the first I've seen from y'all on KZbin and I'm very impressed. great speaking an analysis. subscribed. 👍